Misplaced assurances

505 Games blamed the lacklustre quality on Australian-based Trickstar Games - the developer contracted to make the game.

"The development of Ashes Cricket 2013 has been fraught with challenges almost from the outset," 505 Games said.

"The chosen developer, even with their many years of cricket game development experience, was unable to overcome the unexpected challenges that the chosen game engine threw up, even with multiple extensions to the development schedule.

The title was originally scheduled for release in summer 2013, but was pushed back

"At the start of the project, 505 Games received all assurances from the developer that the engine was up to the task of creating a dynamic, cutting-edge cricket game for the modern age across multiple platforms, and unfortunately those assurances were found to be misplaced."

The company went on to apologise to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket Australia, as well as various sponsors involved in the series.

It added: "Our deepest apologies, however, are reserved for the fans of cricket and cricket games worldwide."

Trickstar Games has not commented on the issue.

'Extremely disappointed'

The official rights to produce the game are dished out jointly by the ECB and Cricket Australia.

A spokesman for the ECB said: "The ECB entered into a licensing agreement with 505 Games, in conjunction with Cricket Australia, with the intention of producing a high quality game linked to both the recent Ashes Test Series in England and the current one in Australia.

"We are extremely disappointed that the product did not match our expectations and would like to extend sincere apologies to any supporters who purchased this product."

505 Games has said that those who purchased the game will be contacted shortly with details of how to claim the refund.

In the meantime, gamers took to social media and forums to poke fun at the product.

"I'm struggling to understand why Ashes Cricket 2013 was pulled from sale," tweeted Peter Parrish. "It's the comedy game of the year."